Square pegs in round holes

FOR far too long the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago have had to accept ministers in Cabinet who are not qualified in the least to manage or run competently, the ministries they have been put in charge of.

Yes, one may argue that there are permanent secretaries and advisors to the various ministers who could guide them along as they “stutter” through the execution of their duties. Notwithstanding their main function is to implement the various policies of the governing party, it is a slap in the face to those citizens who have sacrificed long hours pursuing academic excellence with the hope of attaining a job suited to their qualifications.

A farmer may be a better minister of agriculture, knowing the ins and outs of farming and the issues facing farmers on a daily basis. Perhaps the owner of a hotel may make a far better minister of tourism than who we have now.

This may sound like an oversimplification of an issue but the gullibility of John Public allows the façade of “jacket and tie” to equate ministers with demigods with superhuman intelligence. Nothing is further from the truth.

The average citizen sees solutions to problems facing this country easier than a minister who lacks experience or the “correct” qualifications in areas where they know far less than the workers under their charge!

With the age of Google, policies which have been adopted, appear to have been copied wholesale from other countries, without thought, or tweaking or any sort of planning for the future.

Alas, if only politicians would listen to advice from John and Jane Public.